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2 Contents PART 1 - PRELIMINARY 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION OBJECTS...4 PART 2 - MEMBERSHIP 3 MEMBERSHIP GENERALLY NOMINATION FOR MEMBERSHIP CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS NOT TRANSFERABLE RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP REGISTER OF MEMBERS FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS MEMBERS LIABILITIES RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES DISCIPLINING OF MEMBERS RIGHT OF APPEAL OF DISCIPLINED MEMBER...9 PART 3 - THE COMMITTEE 14 POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEE ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS SECRETARY TREASURER CASUAL VACANCIES REMOVAL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND QUORUM DELEGATION BY COMMITTEE TO SUB-COMMITTEE VOTING AND DECISIONS...14 PART 4 - GENERAL MEETINGS 24 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS - HOLDING OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS - CALLING OF AND BUSINESS AT SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS - CALLING OF NOTICE QUORUM FOR GENERAL MEETINGS PRESIDING MEMBER ADJOURNMENT MAKING OF DECISIONS SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS VOTING PROXY VOTES PERMITTED POSTAL BALLOTS...19

4 Part 1 PRELIMINARY 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1.1 In this Constitution: a) Act means the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW); b) Committee means the Committee referred to in part 3; c) Constitution means this Constitution of the Society; d) Director-General means the Director-General of the Department of Services, Technology and Administration; e) Objects means the Objects of the Society in section 2; f) Ordinary Committee Member means a member of the Ordinary Committee Member who is not an office-bearer of the Society; g) Regulation means the Associations Incorporation Regulation h) Secretary means: (i) (ii) the person holding office under this Constitution as Secretary of the Society, or if no such person holds that office - the public officer of the Society. (i) Society means the Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated; and i) Special General Meeting means a general meeting of the Society other than an annual general meeting. 1.2 In this Constitution: a) a reference to a function includes a reference to a power, authority and duty; b) a reference to the exercise of a function includes, if the function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty; and c) the provisions of the Interpretation Act 1987 apply to and in respect of this Constitution in the same manner as those provisions would so apply if this Constitution were an instrument made under the Act. 4

5 2. OBJECTS The Object of the Society is to conduct a range of activities such as organising meetings, publishing a members newsletter and other items, networking with other like minded organisations, liaising with the media etc. for the advancement of Humanism which is defined as: a) encourage a rational approach to human problems, to promote the fullest possible use of science and the arts for human welfare, to defend freedom of expression, and to provide a constructive alternative to theological and dogmatic creeds; b) gain and maintain for non-religious people the same rights as are enjoyed by members of religious bodies; c) encourage an awareness of and the responsibility to the connection and interdependence between human and other life forms, and duty of care owed by present generations to future generations and the environment; d) encourage informed and reasoned discussion of issues in a manner that shows respect for the individual and his or her views; and e) encourage respect for the universal human rights of men and women free from discrimination on the basis of race, class, disability, gender, age, nationality or sexual orientation. Part 2 MEMBERSHIP 3. MEMBERSHIP GENERALLY 3.1 A person is eligible to be a member of the Society if: a) the person is a natural person, and b) the person has been nominated and approved for membership of the Society in accordance with section A person is taken to be a member of the association if: a) the person is a natural person, and b) the person was : i) in the case of an unincorporated body that is registered as the association - a member of the Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated immediately before the registration of the present association, or ii) in the case of an association that is amalgamated to form the relevant association - a member of that other association immediately before the amalgamation, or 5

6 iii) in the case of a registrable corporation that is registered as an association - a member of the registrable corporation immediately before that entity was registered as an association. 3.3 A person is taken to be a member of the Society if the person was one of the individuals on whose behalf an application for registration of the Society under section 6 (1) (a) of the Act was made. 3.4 A person is taken to be a member of the Society if the person is a Life Member, who subject to this Constitution, shall have the right to receive notice of general meetings and to be present, to debate and to vote at general meetings. 4. NOMINATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 4.1 A nomination of a person for membership of the Society: a) must be made by a member of the Society in writing in the form set out in Appendix 1 to this Constitution, and b) must be lodged with the Secretary of the Society. 4.2 As soon as practicable after receiving a nomination for membership, the Secretary must refer the nomination to the Committee which is to determine whether to approve or to reject the nomination. 4.3 As soon as practicable after the Committee makes that determination, the Secretary must: a) notify the nominee, in writing, that the Committee approved or rejected the nomination (whichever is applicable), and b) if the Committee approved the nomination, request the nominee to pay (within the period of 28 days after receipt by the nominee of the notification) the sum payable under this Constitution by a member as entrance fee and annual subscription. 4.4 The Secretary must, on payment by the nominee of the amounts referred to in section 4 (3) (b) within the period referred to in that provision, enter or cause to be entered the nominee s name in the register of members and, on the name being so entered, the nominee becomes a member of the Society. 4.5 Life membership may be given to any member by two thirds majority vote of the members present at an Annual or Special General Meeting for recognition of outstanding services to the Society. 5. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP A person ceases to be a member of the Society if the person: a) dies, or b) resigns membership, or 6

7 c) is expelled from the Society, or d) fails to pay the annual membership fee under section 9 (2) within 3 months after the fee is due. The member s name will be removed from the register of members of the Society, and the Committee may, at its discretion, reinstate the member s name to the register on payment of all arrears. 6. MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE A right, privilege or obligation which a person has by reason of being a member of the Society: a) is not capable of being transferred or transmitted to another person; and b) terminates on cessation of the person s membership. 7. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP 7.1 A member of the Society may resign from membership of the Society by first giving to the Secretary written notice of at least one month (or such other period as the Committee may determine) of the member s intention to resign and, on the expiration of the period of notice, the member ceases to be a member. 7.2 If a member of the Society ceases to be a member under section 7.2, and in every other case where a member ceases to hold membership, the Secretary must make an appropriate entry in the register of members recording the date on which the member ceased to be a member. 8. REGISTER OF MEMBERS 8.1 The public officer of the Society must establish and maintain a register of members of the Society specifying the name and postal or residential address of each person who is a member of the Society together with the date on which the person became a member. 8.2 The register of members must be kept in New South Wales at the premises of the Secretary. 8.3 The register of members must be open for inspection, free of charge, by any member of the Society at any reasonable hour. 8.4 Subject to the Privacy Policy of the Society, a member of the Society may obtain a copy of any part of the register, on payment of a fee of not more than $1 for each page copied. 8.5 If a member requests that any information contained on the register about the member (other than the member s name) not be available for inspection, that information must not be made available for inspection. 7

8 8.6 A member must not use information about a person obtained from the register to contact or send material to the person, other than for a purpose approved by the Committee, or any other purpose necessary to comply with a requirement of the Act, the Regulation or privacy laws. 9. FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 9.1 A member of the Society must, on admission to membership, pay to the Society a fee of $1 or, if some other amount is determined by the Committee, that other amount. 9.2 In addition to any amount payable by the member under section 9.1, a member of the Society must pay to the Society an annual membership fee of $2 or, if some other amount is determined by the Committee, that other amount: a) except as provided by section 9.2(b), before 1 July in each calendar year; or b) if the member becomes a member on or after 1 July in any calendar year - on becoming a member and before 1 July in each succeeding calendar year. 9.3 Life members shall be considered as financial members. 10. MEMBERS LIABILITIES The liability of a member of the Society to contribute towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of the Society or the costs, charges and expenses of the winding up of the Society is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid by the member in respect of membership of the Society as required by section RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES 11.1 A dispute between a member and another member (in their capacity as members) of the Society, or a dispute between a member or members and the Society, are to be referred to a community justice centre for mediation under the Community Justice Centres Act If a dispute is not resolved by mediation within 3 months of the referral to a community justice centre, the dispute is to be referred to arbitration The Commercial Arbitration Act 1984 applies to any such dispute referred to arbitration. 12. DISCIPLINING OF MEMBERS 12.1 A complaint may be made to the Committee by any person that a member of the Society: 8

9 a) has refused or neglected to comply with a provision or provisions of this Constitution, or b) has wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the Society The Committee may refuse to deal with a complaint if it considers the complaint to be trivial or vexatious in nature If the Committee decides to deal with the complaint, the Committee: a) must cause notice of the complaint to be served on the member concerned; b) must give the member at least 14 days from the time the notice is served within which to make submissions to the Committee in connection with the complaint; and c) must take into consideration any submissions made by the member in connection with the complaint The Committee may, by resolution, expel the member from the Society or suspend the member from membership of the Society if, after considering the complaint and any submissions made in connection with the complaint, it is satisfied that the facts alleged in the complaint have been proved and the expulsion or suspension is warranted in the circumstances If the Committee expels or suspends a member, the Secretary must, within 7 days after the action is taken, cause written notice to be given to the member of the action taken, of the reasons given by the Committee for having taken that action and of the member s right of appeal under section The expulsion or suspension does not take effect: a) until the expiration of the period within which the member is entitled to appeal against the resolution concerned; or b) if within that period the member exercises the right of appeal, unless and until the Society confirms the resolution under section 13, whichever is the later. 13. RIGHT OF APPEAL OF THE DISCIPLINED MEMBER 13.1 A member may appeal to the Society in a general meeting against a resolution of the Committee Member under section 12, within 7 days after notice of the resolution is served on the member, by lodging with the Secretary a notice to that effect The notice may, but need not, be accompanied by a statement of the grounds on which the member intends to rely for the purposes of the appeal On receipt of a notice from a member under section 13 (1), the 9

10 Secretary must notify the Committee which is to convene a general meeting of the Society to be held within 60 days after the date on which the Secretary received the notice At a general meeting of the Society convened under section 13 (3): (a) no business other than the question of the appeal is to be transacted; b) the Committee and the member must be given the opportunity to state their respective cases orally or in writing, or both; and c) the members present are to vote by secret ballot on the question of whether the resolution should be confirmed or revoked The appeal is to be determined by a simple majority of votes cast by members of the Society. Part 3 THE COMMITTEE 14. POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE 14.1 Subject to the Act, the Regulation and this Constitution and to any resolution passed by the Society in general meeting, the Committee: a) is to control and manage the affairs of the Society; b) may exercise all such functions as may be exercised by the Society, other than those functions that are required by this Constitution to be exercised by a general meeting of members of the Society; and c) despite anything to the contrary in this Constitution, the Committee has power to perform all such acts and do all such things whatsoever as appear to the Committee to be necessary or desirable for the proper management of the affairs of the Society No reasons have to be given to any person in respect of a decision made by the Committee under section 14 (1) (c). 15. COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE 15.1 The Committee is to consist of: a) the office-bearers of the Society; and b) at least 3 Ordinary Committee Members, each of whom is to be elected at the annual general meeting of the Society under section 16. The Society by resolution at a general meeting may vary the number of Ordinary Committee Members to be elected above 3. 10

11 15.2 The minimum number of Committee members is to be The office-bearers of the Society are as follows: a) the president; b) 2 vice-presidents; c) the treasurer; d) the Secretary A Committee member may hold up to 2 offices (other than two of the president and vice-president offices) Each member of the Committee is, subject to this Constitution, to hold office until the conclusion of the annual general meeting following the date of the member s election, but is eligible for re-election. 16. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS 16.1 Nominations of candidates for election as office-bearers of the Society or as Ordinary Committee Members: a) must be made in writing, signed by 2 members of the Society and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate (which may be endorsed on the form of the nomination); and b) must be delivered to the Secretary of the Society at least 7 days before the date fixed for the holding of the annual general meeting at which the election is to take place If insufficient nominations are received to fill all vacancies on the Committee, the candidates nominated are taken to be elected and further nominations are to be received at the annual general meeting If insufficient further nominations are received, any vacant positions remaining on the Committee are taken to be casual vacancies If the number of nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated are taken to be elected If the number of nominations received exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a ballot is to be held The ballot for the election of office-bearers and Ordinary Committee Members of the Committee is to be conducted at the annual general meeting in such usual and proper manner as the Committee may direct A person nominated as a candidate for election as an office-bearer or as an Ordinary Committee Member of the Society must be a member of the Society S E C R E T AR Y 11

12 17.1 The Secretary of the Society must, as soon as practicable after being appointed as Secretary, lodge notice with the Society of his or her address It is the duty of the Secretary to keep minutes of: a) all appointments of office-bearers and members of the Committee; b) the names of members of the Committee present at a Committee meeting or a general meeting; and (c) all proceedings at Committee meetings and general meetings Minutes of proceedings at a meeting must be signed by the chairperson of the meeting or by the chairperson of the next succeeding meeting T R E A S U R E R It is the duty of the treasurer of the Society to ensure: a) that all money due to the Society is collected and received and that all payments authorised by the Society are made; and b) that correct books and accounts are kept showing the financial affairs of the Society, including full details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities of the Society. 19. CASUAL VACANCIES 19.1 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee, the Committee may appoint a member of the Society to fill the vacancy and the member so appointed is to hold office, subject to this Constitution, until the conclusion of the annual general meeting next following the date of the appointment A casual vacancy in the office of a member of the Committee occurs if the member: a) dies; or b) ceases to be a member of the Society; or c) becomes an insolvent under administration within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth; or d) resigns office by notice in writing given to the Secretary; or e) is removed from office under section 20; or f) becomes a mentally incapacitated person; or 12

13 g) is absent without the consent of the Committee from 3 consecutive meetings of the Committee; or h) is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty for which the maximum penalty on conviction is imprisonment for not less than 3 months; or i) is prohibited from being a director of a company under Part 2D.6 (Disqualification from managing corporations) of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth. 20.REMOVAL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS 20.1 The Society in general meeting may by resolution remove any member of the Committee from the office of member before the expiration of the member s term of office and may by resolution appoint another person to hold office until the expiration of the term of office of the member so removed If a member of the Committee to whom a proposed resolution referred to in section 20.1 relates makes representations in writing to the secretary or president (not exceeding a reasonable length) and requests that the representations be notified to the members of the Society, the Secretary or the president may send a copy of the representations to each member of the Society or, if the representations are not so sent, the member is entitled to require that the representations be read out at the meeting at which the resolution is considered. 21.COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND QUORUM 21.1 The Committee must meet at least 3 times in each period of 12 months at such place and time as the Committee may determine Additional meetings of the Committee may be convened by the president or by any member of the Committee Oral or written notice of a meeting of the Committee must be given by the secretary to each member of the Committee at least 48 hours (or such other period as may be unanimously agreed on by the members of the Committee) before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting Notice of a meeting given under section 21.3 must specify the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting and no business other than that business is to be transacted at the meeting, except business which the Committee members present at the meeting unanimously agree to treat as urgent business Any 5 members of the Committee constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a meeting of the Committee No business is to be transacted by the Committee unless a quorum is present and if, within half an hour of the time appointed for the 13

14 meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting is to stand adjourned to the same place and at the same hour of the same day in the following week If at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting is to be dissolved At a meeting of the Committee: (a) the president or, in the president s absence, a vice-president is to preside; or (b) if the president and both vice-presidents are absent or unwilling to act, such one of the remaining members of the Committee as may be chosen by the members present at the meeting is to preside. 22. DELEGATION BY COMMITTEE TO SUB-COMMITTEE 22.1 The Committee may, by instrument in writing, delegate to one or more sub-committees (consisting of such member or members of the Society as the Committee thinks fit) the exercise of such of the functions of the Committee as are specified in the instrument, other than: a) this power of delegation; and b) a function which is a duty imposed on the Committee by the Act or by any other law A function the exercise of which has been delegated to a sub- Committee under this section may, while the delegation remains unrevoked, be exercised from time to time by the sub-committee in accordance with the terms of the delegation A delegation under this section may be made subject to such conditions or limitations as to the exercise of any function, or as to time or circumstances, as may be specified in the instrument of delegation Despite any delegation under this section, the Committee may continue to exercise any function delegated Any act or thing done or suffered by a sub-committee acting in the exercise of a delegation under this section has the same force and effect as it would have if it had been done or suffered by the Committee The Committee may, by instrument in writing, revoke wholly or in part any delegation under this section A sub-committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. 23. VOTING AND DECISIONS 14

15 23.1 Questions arising at a meeting of the Committee or of any sub- Committee appointed by the Committee are to be determined by a majority of the votes of members of the Committee or sub-committee present at the meeting Each member present at a meeting of the Committee or at any sub- Committee appointed by the Committee (including the person presiding at the meeting) is entitled to one vote but, in the event of an equality of votes on any question, the person presiding may exercise a second or casting vote Subject to section 21.5, the Committee may act despite any vacancy on the Committee Any act or thing done or suffered, or purporting to have been done or suffered, by the Committee or by a sub-committee appointed by the Committee, is valid and effectual despite any defect that may afterwards be discovered in the appointment or qualification of any member of the Committee or sub-committee. Part 4 GENERAL MEETINGS 24. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS HOLDING OF 24.1 The Society must hold its first annual general meeting within 18 months after its registration under the Act The Society must hold its annual general meetings: a) within 6 months after the close of the Society s financial year, or b) within such later time as may be allowed by the Director- General or prescribed by the Regulation. 25. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS CALLING OF AND BUSINESS AT 25.1 The annual general meeting of the Society is, subject to the Act and to section 24, to be convened on such date and at such place and time as the Committee thinks fit In addition to any other business which may be transacted at an annual general meeting, the business of an annual general meeting is to include the following: a) to confirm the minutes of the last preceding annual general meeting and of any special general meeting held since that meeting; b) to receive from the Committee reports on the activities of the Society during the last preceding financial year; c) to elect office-bearers of the Society and Ordinary Committee 15

16 Members; and d) to receive and consider any financial statement or report required to be submitted to members under the Act An annual general meeting must be specified as such in the notice convening it. 26. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS CALLING OF 26.1 The Committee may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a Special General Meeting of the Society The Committee must, on the requisition in writing of at least 10 per cent of the total number of members, convene a Special General Meeting of the Society A requisition of members for a Special General Meeting: a) must state the purpose or purposes of the meeting; b) must be signed by the members making the requisition; c) must be lodged with the Secretary; and d) may consist of several documents in a similar form, each signed by one or more of the members making the requisition If the Committee fails to convene a Special General Meeting to be held within 3 months after that date on which a requisition of members for the meeting is lodged with the Secretary, any one or more of the members who made the requisition may convene a special general meeting to be held not later than 6 months after that date A Special General Meeting convened by a member or members as referred to in section 26.4 must be convened as nearly as is practicable in the same manner as general meetings are convened by the Committee. 27. NOTICE 27.1 Except if the nature of the business proposed to be dealt with at a general meeting requires a special resolution of the Society, the Secretary must, at least 14 days before the date fixed for the holding of the general meeting, give a notice to each member specifying the place, date and time of the meeting and the nature of the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting If the nature of the business proposed to be dealt with at a general meeting requires a special resolution of the Society, the Secretary must, at least 21 days before the date fixed for the holding of the general meeting, cause notice to be given to each member specifying, in addition to the matter required under section 27.1, the intention to 16

17 propose the resolution as a special resolution No business other than that specified in the notice convening a general meeting is to be transacted at the meeting except, in the case of an annual general meeting, business which may be transacted under section A member desiring to bring any business before a general meeting may give notice in writing of that business to the Secretary who must include that business in the next notice calling a general meeting given after receipt of the notice from the member. 28. QUORUM FOR GENERAL MEETINGS 28.1 No item of business is to be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum of members entitled under this Constitution to vote is present during the time the meeting is considering that item percent or 12 members present, whichever is the less, (being members entitled under this Constitution to vote at a general meeting) constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a general meeting If within half an hour after the appointed time for the commencement of a general meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting: a) if convened on the requisition of members, is to be dissolved, and b) in any other case, is to stand adjourned to the same day in the following week at the same time and (unless another place is specified at the time of the adjournment by the person presiding at the meeting or communicated by written notice to members given before the day to which the meeting is adjourned) at the same place If at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour after the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting, the members present (being at least 12) are to constitute a quorum. 29. PRESIDING MEMBER 29.1 The president or, in the president s absence, a vice-president, is to preside as chairperson at each general meeting of the Society If the president and both vice-presidents are absent or unwilling to act, the members present must elect one of their number to preside as chairperson at the meeting A D J O U R N M E N T 30.1 The chairperson of a general meeting at which a quorum is present may, 17

18 with the consent of the majority of members present at the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and place to place, but no business is to be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting at which the adjournment took place If a general meeting is adjourned for 14 days or more, the Secretary must give written or oral notice of the adjourned meeting to each member of the Society stating the place, date and time of the meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting Except as provided in sections 30.1 and 30.2, notice of an adjournment of a general meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting is not required to be given. 31. MAKING OF DECISIONS 31.1 A question arising at a general meeting of the Society is to be determined by either: a) a show of hands; or b) if on the motion of the chairperson or if 5 or more members present at the meeting decide that the question should be determined by a written ballot - a written ballot If the question is to be determined by a show of hands, a declaration by the chairperson that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried or carried unanimously or carried by a particular majority or lost, or an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Society, is evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against that resolution If the question is to be determined by a written ballot, the ballot is to be conducted in accordance with the directions of the chairperson. 32. SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS A special resolution may only be passed by the Society in accordance with section 39 of the Act. 33. VOTING 33.1 On any question arising at a general meeting of the Society a member has one vote only In the case of an equality of votes on a question at a general meeting, the chairperson of the meeting is entitled to exercise a second or casting vote A member or proxy is not entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Society unless all money due and payable by the member or proxy to the Society has been paid. 18

19 33.4 A member or proxy is not entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Society if the member or proxy is under 18 years of age. 34. PROXY VOTES PERMITTED 34.1 A member shall be entitled to appoint in writing a natural person who is also a member of the Society to be their proxy, and attend and vote at any general meeting, annual general meeting or Special General Meeting of the Society by notice given to the Secretary no later than 48 hours before the time of the meeting in respect of which the proxy is appointed The number of proxy voting options any member may hold and be appointed to hold, at any general meeting, annual general meeting or Special General Meeting of the Society is limited to four The notice appointing the proxy shall be in the form set out in Appendix 2 to this Constitution. 35.POSTAL BALLOTS 35.1 The Society may hold a postal ballot to determine any issue or proposal (other than an appeal under section 13) A postal ballot is to be conducted in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Regulation as set out in Appendix 3 to this Consitution. Part 5 MISCELLANEOUS 36. INSURANCE The Society may effect and maintain insurance F U N D S - S O U R C E 37.1 The funds of the Society are to be derived from entrance fees and annual subscriptions of members, donations and, subject to any resolution passed by the Society in general meeting, such other sources as the Committee determines All money received by the Society must be deposited as soon as practicable and without deduction to the credit of the Society s bank or other authorised deposit-taking institution account The Society must, as soon as practicable after receiving any money, issue an appropriate receipt. 19

20 38. FUNDS - MANAGEMENT 38.1 Subject to any resolution passed by the Society in general meeting, the funds of the Society are to be used in pursuance of the Objects of the Society in such manner as the Committee determines All cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments must be signed by any 2 members of the Committee or employees of the Society, being members or employees authorised to do so by the Committee. 39. CHANGE OF NAME, OBJECTS AND CONSTITUTION An application to the Director-General for registration of a change in the Society s name, Objects or Constitution in accordance with section 10 of the Act is to be made by the public officer or a Committee member. 40. CUSTODY OF BOOKS ETC Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the public officer must keep in his or her custody or under his or her control all records, books and other documents relating to the Society. 41. INSPECTION OF BOOKS ETC 41.1 Subject to the Privacy Policy of the Society, the following documents must be open to inspection, free of charge, by a member of the Society at any reasonable hour: a) records, books and other financial documents of the Society; b) this Constitution; c) minutes of all Committee meetings and general meetings of the Society Subject to the Privacy Policy of the Society, a member of the Society may obtain a copy of any of the documents referred to in section 41.1 on payment of a fee of not more than $1 for each page copied. 42. SERVICE OF NOTICES 42.1 For the purpose of this Constitution, a notice may be served on or given to a person: a) by delivering it to the person personally; or b) by sending it by pre-paid post to the address of the person; or c) by sending it by facsimile transmission or some other form of electronic transmission to an address specified by the person for giving or serving the notice. 20

21 42.2 For the purpose of this Constitution, a notice is taken, unless the contrary is proved, to have been given or served: a) in the case of a notice given or served personally, on the date on which it is received by the addressee; b) in the case of a notice sent by pre-paid post, on the date when it would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post; and c) in the case of a notice sent by facsimile transmission or some other form of electronic transmission, on the date it was sent or, if the machine from which the transmission was sent produces a report indicating that the notice was sent on a later date, on that date. 43. FINANCIAL YEAR The financial year of the Society is: a) the period of time commencing on the date of incorporation of the Society and ending on the following 30 June, and b) each period of 12 months after the expiration of the previous financial year of the Society, commencing on 1 July and ending on the following 30 June. 21

22 Appendix 1. HUMANIST SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES INC (incorporated under the Association Incorporation Act 2016) APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP I,... (full name of applicant) of... Postcode... (address of applicant) Phone (Home) (Work) being a... (occupation of applicant) hereby apply to become a member of the above named incorporated association and declare that I am in agreement with the association's Objects set out below. In the event of my admission as a member, I agree to be bound by the Constitution of the association for the time being in force (Copies of the Constitution are available from the Secretary or from the Society website Special Interests: Signature of applicant... Date... I,... a member of the association, (full name of proposer) nominate the applicant, who is personally known to me, for membership of the association. Signature of proposer... Date... If you do not personally know a member of the association who can propose your application, then you may either: 1. attend a Humanist Society of NSW Inc meeting; or (if that is not practicable) 2. provide a statement of interest for the Committee to consider. Annual Membership Fee: Single... Double... Concession... (Please provide proof of concession rate eligibility, such as a pension, student or health care card number.) I enclose cheque/money order/cash for: Membership $... Donation $... Total $... Objects 1.To encourage a rational approach to human problems, to promote the fullest possible use of science and the arts for human welfare, to defend freedom of expression, and to provide a constructive alternative to theological and dogmatic creeds; 2.To gain and maintain for non-religious people the same rights as are enjoyed by members of religious bodies; 3.To encourage an awareness of and the responsibility to the connection and interdependence between human and other life forms, and duty of care owed by present generations to future generations and the environment; 4.To encourage informed and reasoned discussion of issues in a manner that shows respect for the individual and his or her views; 5.To encourage respect for the universal human rights of men and women free from discrimination on the basis of race, class, disability, gender, age, nationality or sexual 22

23 orientation. 23

24 Appendix 2 HUMANIST SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES INC FORM OF APPOINTMENT OF PROXY I (full name) of (address) being a member of the Humanist Society of New South Wales Inc. hereby appoint (name of proxy) as my proxy to vote on my behalf at the General Meeting/Annual General Meeting/Special General Meeting of the Society to be held on the...day of... and at any adjournment of that meeting. My proxy is authorised to vote in favour of / against the resolution: * Signed: Date Send this form to The Secretary, Humanist Society of NSW, 10 Shepherd Street, CHIPPENDALE, NSW, 2008, to arrive not later than 48 hours before the meeting., *This direction is optional 24

25 Constitution of Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated Appendix 3 Conduct of postal ballots 1 Ballots (1) The committee must: (a) cause the details of the proposal on which the ballot is to be held to be set out in a statement, and (b) fix the dates for: i)the forwarding of ballots to members, and ii)the closing of the ballot, and (c) appoint a returning officer for the ballot. (2) Every ballot must be conducted by the returning officer appointed by the committee. 2 Returning officers 1) A committee member of the association may not be appointed as a returning officer. 2) The returning officer may be assisted in the performance of his or her duties by any person (who would be eligible to be a returning officer) appointed by the returning officer. 3) Preparation of voting roll and ballot papers (1) The returning officer must prepare a roll of the full names and addresses of the members of the association who are eligible to vote. (2) A person whose name is on the roll is entitled to vote in the ballot, and no person is otherwise so entitled. (3) The returning officer must cause ballot papers to be prepared: a) in or to the effect of Form A in this Schedule, or b) in such other form as the committee determines. (4) Each ballot paper must: a) be initialed by the returning officer or an appointed assistant, or b) bear a mark that identifies it as a genuine ballot paper. (5) The returning officer must, at least 14 days (or 21 days in the case of a special resolution) before the date fixed for the closing of the ballot, send by post or otherwise deliver to every member entitled to vote in the ballot one set of the following material: a) one ballot paper, an envelope (in this Schedule referred to as "the outer envelope") addressed to the returning officer and the reverse side of which is noted or printed with the name and address of the member, b) a small envelope (in this Schedule referred to as "the inner envelope") in which the ballot paper is to be enclosed, c) a copy of a statement prepared by the board setting out the terms of the resolution, d) in the case of a special resolution--a copy of a statement to the effect that the resolution is intended to be passed as a special resolution. 4 Duplicate ballot papers (1) The returning officer may send a duplicate ballot paper to any voter if the returning officer is satisfied: a) that the voter has not received a ballot paper, or b) that the ballot paper received by the voter has been lost, spoilt or destroyed and that the voter has not already voted. (2) If a duplicate ballot paper is sent, the relevant outer envelope is to be 25

26 Constitution of Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated marked with the word "Duplicate". 5 Voting A member casts a vote in the ballot by: a) marking his or her vote on the ballot paper according to the instructions on the ballot paper, and b) sending the ballot paper, in the envelopes provided, to the returning officer. 6 Safe keeping of ballot papers 1) The returning officer must provide a ballot box that must be secured immediately before the ballot papers are delivered to members in accordance with clause 3 (5) and must remain secured until the close of the ballot. 2) The returning officer must place the outer envelopes in the ballot box not later than the time and date fixed on the ballot paper for the closing of the ballot. 7 Counting of the votes (1) As soon as practicable after the date fixed for the closing of the ballot, the returning officer must, in the presence of such scrutineers as may be appointed by the committee, open the ballot box and deal with the contents in accordance with subclause (3). (2) The returning officer must: a) examine the outer envelopes, and b) if a duplicate outer envelope has been issued and the original outer envelope is received, reject the original envelope and mark it "rejected", and c) mark the voter's name on the roll by drawing a line through the name, and d) remove the inner envelopes from the outer envelopes, and e) when all the inner envelopes have been dealt with in the above manner, open all unrejected inner envelopes and take the ballot papers from them. (3) The ballot papers must be scrutinised by the returning officer who must reject as informal any ballot paper that: a) is not duly initialled by the returning officer or appointed assistant or does not bear a mark that identifies it as a genuine ballot paper, or b) is so imperfectly marked that the intention of the voter cannot be ascertained by the returning officer, or c) has any mark or writing not authorised by this Schedule that, in the opinion of the returning officer, will enable the voter to be identified, or d) has not been marked as prescribed on the ballot paper itself. 8 Statement by returning officer (1) The returning officer must count all votes cast and make out and sign a statement of: a) the number of formal votes cast in favour of the proposal, and b) the number of formal votes cast against the proposal, and c) the number of informal votes cast, and d) the number of envelopes marked "rejected", and e) the proportion of the formal votes cast in favour of the proposal. (2) On the declaration of the returning officer of the result of the postal ballot, the committee must cause an entry to be made in the minute book showing the particulars referred to in subclause (1) (a) -(e). 26

27 Constitution of Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated (3) The returning officer must forward a copy of the statement to the chairperson of the committee who must announce the result of the ballot at the next general meeting. 9 Notification of result of ballot for special resolutions In the case of a special resolution, the association must cause the result of the ballot to be notified in writing to its members as soon as practicable after the ballot. 10 Retention of ballot papers (1) The returning officer must retain: a) all ballot papers (whether formal or otherwise), and b) all rejected outer envelopes, and c) all rolls, used in connection with the conduct of the postal ballot, locked in the ballot box, in accordance with this clause. (2) The returning officer must retain those items for a period of not less than 8 weeks after the date fixed for the closing of the ballot unless directed in writing by the committee to retain those items for a longer period. Form A Postal ballot paper Postal ballot paper Associations Incorporation Regulation 2010 (Schedule 3, clause 3 (3) ) Before completing this ballot paper, please read the "How to vote" section below. Name of Association: Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated Ballot of members to determine the following proposal: Do you support the above proposal? (Please write YES or NO in the box) The ballot will close at [time] on [date]. How to vote 1 Read these directions and the ballot paper carefully. 2 If: a) you are in favour of the proposal--write the word "YES" in the box provided above, or b) you are not in favour of the proposal--write the word "NO" in the box provided above. 3 After marking the ballot paper, fold it and place it in the inner envelope provided and seal the envelope. Then place the inner envelope in the envelope addressed to the returning officer. 4 Forward this envelope either by post or personal delivery so as to reach the returning officer not later than the time and date set out above. 5 Unless the ballot paper is marked as indicated in 3 above and the details referred to in 2 above are completed in full, your vote may be rejected as informal. 27

28 Constitution of Humanist Society of New South Wales Incorporated Appendix 4 At the Annual General Meeting held on 11 September 2016 the Humanist Society of NSW resolved that the number of Ordinary Committee Members be varied such that the total number of committee members is reduced to nine. At the same Annual General Meeting held on 11 September 2016 the Humanist Society of NSW amended its constitution to provide for 2 vicepresidents. Following application, NSW Fair Trading advised that the amendment takes effect from 15 September Any election held after 15 September 2016 will be for such positions as President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2 Vice-Presidents, and 4 Ordinary Committee Members. The positions of the 7 Ordinary Committee Members elected on 11 September 2016 continue in office until the next Annual General Meeting or until they resign or vacate the position, whichever comes first. 28

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